NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have a definite New England Patriots influence these days.

Running back Dion Lewis believes the Titans’ acquisition of ex-Patriots like himself and cornerback Malcolm Butler says more about their talent than their background.

“I wouldn’t say (they’re trying to replicate New England here),” Lewis said. “I’d just say they’re trying to bring good football players here — good, smart football players. I’m just happy they thought I’m one of those players to help.”

The Titans announced their latest free agent additions Thursday after both players came in and signed their new multi-year deals.

Butler’s contract was for a reported five years and $60 million. It makes the former Vicksburg High star one of the 10 highest-paid cornerbacks in the league.

“The money is what it is, but I love football more than I love money. It ain’t about the money. I love this game,” Butler said.

Butler became an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but left New England under bizarre and controversial circumstances. After playing 98 percent of the Patriots’ defensive snaps in the regular season and starting 47 of the previous 48 games, he was benched for Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Patriots allowed nearly 400 passing yards and lost 41-33 as Butler played on only one special teams play — the game’s only punt in the second quarter.

Earlier this week, Butler told The Boston Herald that he still has not gotten a clear reason for the benching from Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He did say, however, that he believed the coach did it with the team’s best interests in mind whether it worked or not.

“I got kind of sick. I went to the hospital,” Butler told the Herald. Butler arrived late in Minneapolis for Super Bowl week because of an illness. “They probably thought I was kind of late on the game plan; I wasn’t as locked in as I should be and could have been a matchup deal. It could have been anything. But Bill Belichick has been doing this for a very long time. He took a veteran out of Super Bowl XLIX (against the Seahawks) and put in a first-year rookie, and that turned out right, so you could never question his decision.”

The Patriots’ connections in Nashville began prior to the 2016 season, when the Titans hired Jon Robinson as the team’s general manager. In the 2017 offseason, Robinson signed starting cornerback Logan Ryan, a former Patriots starter.

A few months ago, the Titans made Mike Vrabel — a former Patriots linebacker — the team’s head coach, and then agreed to terms with Butler and Lewis on Tuesday.

“The New England Patriots are the New England Patriots, and the Tennessee Titans are the Tennessee Titans,” Butler said. “But it’s all about having great players, great coaches, no matter what organization it is. You know everybody has the same, equal opportunity in the NFL.”

Lewis is looking forward to working in a backfield with one of Robinson’s first draft picks, 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The 5-foot-8, 195-pound Lewis said he’s used to sharing carries and that the 6-3, 247-pound Henry should make for a diverse running game in new offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur’s offense.

“I think it will be a huge challenge for defenses because you’ve got a guy a lot bigger than me, and then a guy like me that is quick and can break tackles, too,” said Lewis, who ran for a career-best 896 yards last season. “So I definitely think it will make the defense be on their toes on who is in the game. I think that we’ll definitely be able to work together and use each other’s skillset to benefit each other.”

Lewis also caught more than 30 passes in two of the past three seasons. He caught 32 passes for 214 yards and scored nine total touchdowns last season.

“It’s just using my quickness, using my smarts,” Lewis said. “When I see a linebacker trying to guard me, I know I’m expected to win. So anything short of that is not acceptable to me.”

Lewis, Butler and Ryan were all part of the Patriots team that won the Super Bowl after the 2016 season. Butler said he’s looking forward to re-uniting with Ryan after his former teammate encouraged him to join him.

“Me and Logan together, man, (it was) I got the fast guy and he got the biggest guy (in New England),” Butler said. “We’ve just got great communication and chemistry over the three years we played together. He’s a good friend of mine.”

Butler also said he’s looking forward to playing in Nashville because of a more long-running connection to the franchise.

“This is a great town. And not only that I am a big Steve McNair fan,” Butler said, referring to the former Titans quarterback who starred at Alcorn State. “I always looked up to him and I always looked up to anyone who made it to the NFL from Mississippi. I feel like it is a great fit for me. … I am here now, and I am happy. And I am going to do anything to help this team win.”